This community-wide e-mail has now been sent out from the Northwestern Provost:

I am writing to update you on the status of the search for a new dean for the Law School. As you know, the search committee recommended three finalists to President Schapiro and me, and these candidates visited the Law School in mid-April. In follow-up to these visits, we engaged in serious discussions with finalists regarding the deanship. Unfortunately, these discussions did not result in the appointment of a new dean.

As we now move forward in our search for a new dean, I am pleased to announce that Kim Yuracko has agreed to extend her service to the School and University as interim dean, for a brief period, if necessary. Kim has provided outstanding leadership in this interim capacity, and we appreciate her willingness to continue to lead the School in this role.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Law School dean search committee, and particularly committee chair Shari Diamond, for their diligence and effort in undertaking this search. The committee has made a significant commitment to this endeavor over the past academic year, and both President Schapiro and I would like to recognize the outstanding work that they have conducted. Shari Diamond graciously agreed to become chair of the committee while the search was underway, and her leadership of the committee was exceptional.

For the next phase of the search, we will continue to rely on our search firm consultants, Russell Reynolds, to identify additional highly qualified individuals who would be interested in the position of dean. As we consider these candidates, I will again turn to the search committee for their input, and will ensure that any finalists have the opportunity to meet with the faculty, staff, and students of the Law School.

While we have faced challenges to date in finding the next dean of the Law School, President Schapiro and I remain very committed to working with the Law School community to find an exceptional next dean who will continue to lead the School forward.